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US 2012/0074741 A1Published application
Vehicle Modular Armrest
AssigneeLear Corporation
InventorChrister Andersson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular armrest has a frame configured to support and retain at least one of a plurality of differently configured modular elements. The modular elements perform various functions and are selected and assembled to the frame from a group of modular elements to form the desired modular armrest.
Claims20
A modular armrest comprising:
- a frame having spaced-apart side rails;
- and
- a modular element engaged to the frame and having a coupling element configured to engage and retain at least one of a trim element, a bezel, and a second modular element.
A method of forming a modular armrest comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a plurality of frames having spaced apart side rails, the plurality of frames having at least two different lengths defined by the spaced apart side rails, the length of the side rails being configured to establish a frame length;
- b) providing a plurality of modular elements having at least two different use configurations;
- c) determining the frame length of the modular armrest and selecting one of the frames having at least two different lengths that establish the frame length;
- d) selecting at least one of the modular elements;
- and
- e) assembling the modular element to the frame.
3 more elements
A method of forming a modular armrest comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a plurality of paired side rails, the plurality of paired side rails having at least two different lengths configured to establish a frame length;
- b) providing a plurality of cross members having at least two different lengths, the plurality of cross members configured to space apart the side rails of one of the plurality of paired side rails to establish a frame width;
- c) providing a plurality of modular elements having at least two different use configurations and being configured to generally match the frame width;
- d) determining the frame length and frame width of the modular armrest and selecting the paired side rails and the cross member configured to establish the frame width and frame length;
- e) forming a frame from the selected paired side rails and the cross member having the frame width and frame lengths and selecting at least one of the modular elements matching the frame width;
- and
- f) assembling the modular element to the frame.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.